I was thinking about the AU’s I wrote up for this post and got inspired to write something for the second one.
Marco chose to stay back when Sabo marched on the beach alone, kicking sand as he goes. He couldn't hear what the other was saying but he did not sound too happy. It wasn't until Sabo at some point found a large rock to lift above his head and toss as far as he could into the water that he decided to make himself known.
“Hey!” Marco shouted as the rock landed just feet from him. Sabo jolted to a stop as his eyes scanned the waters before landing on Marco.
“Sorry” he apologized low and drained but sincere. Marco swam up the shore and pulled himself onto the sand. Sabo plopped down beside him, pulling off his boots and digging his toes roughly into the wet sand. Subtly Marco looked to the forest behind them.
“Where’s Ace?”
“Who the hell know! Probably off somewhere being dumb!” Marco looked up to Sabo in shock. Sure Ace and Sabo had argued before but the rarely ever got mad at each other. Not really. Studying Sabo’s face was when Marco realize there was a bruise forming on his chin. He reached up and gently brushed around it.
“Did Ace do this?”
“Yes!” Sabo’s voice raised and cracked when he answered. Marco tilted his head and waited silently for Sabo’s explanation. Sabo sighed and kicked his foot up, flinging sand into the air.
“He’s being so stubborn!” Sabo brought his heel down hard onto the sand. “Every time new ships dock, Ace heads into the fucking bar!” Marco ducked when Sabo threw out his arms.
“I asked him not to go, told him it's not worth it but he never fucking listens. It's like what those assholes have to say matters more than what we say!”
“Sabo” Marco started, finally seeing where this was going but Sabo cut him off.
“I know that's not true. It’s just that” Sabo turned his head away. Marco scooted closer and placed his webbed hand over Sabo’s, his fingers were digging into the sand. “It's just that they always say the same thing. But it's like he’s waiting for someone to tell him different. Like a stranger telling him he matters means more to him.” Sabo snapped his head towards Marco, eyes watery.
“I don't understand why their useless, stupid, cruel words are so important compared to mine! If he just listened to me he’d hear that he isn’t a monster or a demon or useless, that he matters, that he’s one of the most important people in the world to me! And I know, I know why but I just feel like what I have to say doesn't matter.”
Sabo's rambling ended leaving them with nothing but the ocean to be heard. Marco didn't know what to say. He opened up his mouth to say something but clamped it shut and jolted away slightly when something grabbed his arm. Sabo jumped when a warmth pressed against his back and an arm snaked around his waist. Marco relaxed, letting Ace pull his arm closer. He watched silently as Ace rested his forehead between Sabo’s shoulders.
“Your words matter.” Ace whispered, telling them he heard at least part of Sabo’s rant. “You matter” he buried his face into Sabo’s back and tightened his grip around the two blonds. Marco reached with his other hand and petted Ace’s arm comfortingly.
“I'm still mad at you.” Sabo said quietly. Ace didn't say anything but his right hand tightened his grip on Sabo’s shirt. With a deep sigh, Sabo let his muscles relax and pressed back against Ace. They sat in silence. Marco’s tail draws up and brushes Sabo’s leg as he leaned against both boys. Slowly the tide began to creep in, washing over fin and feet.
“Sorry” Ace said after Sabo began to shift to stand up. He could barely hear Ace but it was enough. Smiling at the duo, Marco moved back into the waters, the in coming tide washing over him as he stayed in the shallow water.
“I know.” Sabo replied after a moment when he stood up. He held out his hand to Ace. Smiling Ace took it and stood with him. The moment didn’t last long as water was slashed up on them. Both boys gasped at the chilled evening water and turned to face Marco. Marco smiled back at them smugly, his tail flicking water up in a taunt.
“You wanna go fish boy!” Ace barked, his face stretched into that smile he gets when he’s ready to wrassle.
“Challenging me in my own home? You really are, what do you humans say? All brawn?” Marco snarked as his own grin stretched wider before retreating into deeper water.
“Hey!” Ace squawked, trekking into the water until it reached his knees and began soaking into his shorts.
Behind him Sabo perked up and smiled devilishly. As quick as he could he yanked his shirt off and tossed his belt off to the side with it. After taking several steps back his raced forward and lunched at his friend. Ace yelped as he was tackled into the waters. Sabo released Ace and broke out of the water, Ace following second after. Ace turned to glare at him.
“I say that makes us even.” Sabo laughed loudly. Ace’s glared broke and he laughed alongside him until he was pulled into the water once again, this time Marco popping up next to them. Ace sputtered more water and glared at Marco causing Sabo to laugh harder.
Sabo choked on the salt water as it broke over his head. This time Ace broke out in laughter as he began to swim away, slashing more water at Sabo as he went. In second Sabo, Ace and Marco were in a heated battle. One, of course, Marco would swim away victorious. But that didn’t stop Ace and Sabo from eventually teaming up to try.
